A Woolavington, Somerset (UK) mother-of-two who had sex with a boy half her age has been jailed for 18 months.

Rebecca Jane Thompson, 30, (pictured left) earlier admitted three counts of sexual activity with the 15-year-old in July and August.

Taunton Crown Court heard this week how she previously received an official caution and warning.

Caroline Boult, prosecuting, said the boy’s mother became suspicious about her son and Thompson, who has since moved to York Road, Taunton, after discovering a letter.

She went to the police and Thompson was cautioned in March.

She went to the police again after spotting her son sneak out at night, and Thompson was warned by officers in June.

The mother then reported Thompson at the end of July after finding “suggestive letters” from her to the boy, one saying: “We made love and it was fantastic.”

Harry Ahuja, defending, said Thompson, who has lost her job as a carer, and the boy became friendly after her marriage broke down.

He said: “The background consisted of a friendship, a source of support, which ultimately led to the sexual activity.”

Mr Ahuja said the boy admitted he was the persistent one.

Jailing Thompson for 18 months concurrently on each of the three counts, Judge Graham Hume Jones said: “When a 14-year-old boy shows an infatuation it’s your duty as an adult to stop it going any further.

“Children of his age have to be protected against themselves.”

Thompson received a sex offenders’ prevention order barring her from contacting the victim until he is 18 and banning her from an exclusion area around his home.

She must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register and cannot work with children.